The National Center for Infrastructure Transformation (NCIT) University Transportation Center held its Annual Meeting from August 5–7. The first two days took place at Texas A&M Prairie View Campus, the home of NCIT, and featured presentations and collaborative meetings among faculty and researchers. On the third day, the meeting continued at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), where attendees toured the Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR) laboratory facilities.

During the August 7 meeting, faculty from NCIT’s partner institutions participated in strategic discussions with center leadership. Key attendees included Dr. Judy Perkins, NCIT Director from Prairie View A&M University; Dr. Melissa Tooley, NCIT Deputy Director from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute; Dr. Claudia E. Zapata, NCIT Associate Director from Arizona State University; and Dr. Bora Cetin, NCIT Associate Director from Michigan State University, Marshall Rich, Workforce Dean at Blinn College and others.

Together, they reviewed four major ongoing research projects, held in-depth conversations on Cycles 1 and 2, and previewed upcoming Cycle 3 initiatives. These sessions provided valuable updates on project progress and deliverables, ensuring continued alignment across the center’s research activities. The final day at TTI Headquarters included a guided tour of CIR’s state-of-the-art laboratories, including the High Bay Lab, one of the facility’s standout features.

CIR Director and NCIT Associate Director Dr. Anand Puppala led the tour, offering attendees a firsthand look at the innovative infrastructure research works at the center. The final day at TTI Headquarters included a guided tour of the Center for Infrastructure Renewal’s (CIR) state-of-the-art laboratories, including the High Bay Lab, one of the facility’s standout features. CIR Director Dr. Anand Puppala led the tour, providing attendees with a firsthand look at the innovative infrastructure research taking place within the center.

Joining the tour was Dr. Navid Jafari, Associate Professor in the Zachry Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, who shared insights into his current research projects conducted in CIR labs. The NCIT team also heard from CIR research students Avinash Gonnabathula, Muddassir Sanei, Kyle Parr, and Riana Mahia Mabub, along with Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Jianxin Huang, each presenting their contributions to the center’s mission and ongoing projects.

The NCIT Annual Meeting fostered collaboration among researchers, faculty, and leadership, reinforcing the center’s commitment to advancing transformative infrastructure solutions. Through strategic discussions, lab tours, and student engagement, the event highlighted the depth and impact of CIR’s research efforts in the goals.

For more information about NCIT, visit ncit.pvamu.edu